Le sindromi autoinfiammatorie: quando non è solo PFAPA

Abstract

PFAPA (Periodic Fever, Aphthous Stomatitis, Pharyngitis and Adenitis) is the most common self-inflammatory disorder in children. The diagnosis of PFAPA is easy, based on Thomas criteria, and the prognosis is good. Differential diagnosis with hereditary periodic fever syndromes (Familial Mediterranean Fever, Mevalonate Kinase Deficiency, TRAPS and CAPS) should be considered only in the presence of red flags such as early onset, severe abdominal complaints, arthritis and severe rashes. Some patients may present distinct clinical entities with periodic fevers that neither meet PFAPA criteria nor hereditary periodic fever syndromes genotypes. Subjects with these “Undifferentiated Periodic Fever” may respond to glucocorticoids or colchicines or to anakinra in the most severe cases and still have an undetermined prognosis.